Biography

6 November 1948, Chicago, Illinois, USA. During her teens, Hall sang in clubs in her home town, her repertoire being mainly folk with some contemporary pop and jazz. In the mid-60s, she joined Sergio Mendes band, replacing Brazilian-born vocalist Wanda de Sah, at the time the band leader switched labels. Thus, Hall, who reportedly learned the Portuguese lyrics phonetically, was in time for the recording of Brasil 66, which was hugely successful, owing in no small part to the inclusion of the hit single, Jorge Ben Jors Mas Que Nada. At the time, Herb Alpert was deeply involved with Mendes; sometimes he played in his band and toured, and he was also co-owner of A&M Records, Mendes new label. Hall was lead singer on seven A&M albums with Mendes, including Fool On The Hill (1968), Crystal Illusions (1969) and Stillness (1970). During this period, she and Alpert were married.